How fair is this analysis, Kopites?
The Liverpool Echo has conducted a vote in which 18 futures of players in the Liverpool squad have been voted on by supporters…
We’ve included the fan results (at the time of writing) and our opinion on each player – including an ‘Empire of the Kop verdict’ per player…
What do you make of the fans’ and our choices, Reds?
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Brad Jones: Fans’ verdict – KEEP – 23% SELL – 77%
A good professional, but ultimately a liability as a backup keeper. We need better competition for Simon Mignolet. The Australian should be bid a fond farewell this summer.
EOTK verdict: SELL
Simon Mignolet: Fans’ verdict – KEEP – 88% SELL 12%
Mignolet’s performances since Christmas prove that he’s talented, and deserves to stay at Anfield. As mentioned, he could do with proper competition for the no.1 spot though – and provided that is brought in during the summer, our goalkeeper situation should be fine.
EOTK verdit: KEEP
Sebastian Coates: Fans’ verdict – KEEP – 9% SELL 91%
It’s not happened for the Uruguayan, mainly because of injuries. Coates is too slow for Premier League football, and if he can’t get in the Sunderland side, he should get nowhere near ours, either.
EOTK verdict: SELL
Andre Wisdom: Fans’ verdict – KEEP – 60% SELL 40%
We feel the fan vote is a little harsh on Wisdom, here. He’s young, English, and has captained the England Under-21 side on numerous occasions. He’s out of the West Brom side right now, but he’s been used predominantly at right-back, when he’s naturally a centre-half. Wisdom’s physically outstanding, and should be given a chance to develop his undeniable strengths.
EOTK verdict: KEEP
Tiago Ilori: Fans’ verdict – KEEP – 73% SELL 27%
While the fans in this vote want Ilori to stay, we feel that’s because he currently seems like an exciting, exotic young talent – when in reality – he’s a £7m signing who hasn’t come close to playing a minute of first-team football in two years. If he was good enough, would he not have got a chance by now…?
EOTK verdict: SELL
Javier Manquillo: Fans’ verdict – KEEP 56% SELL 44%
We don’t have to pay any transfer fees to keep Manquillo next season, as he’ll be halfway through his two-year loan come the summer. The Spaniard’s shown glimpses this term, but little else. A decent squad player, with the potential to improve. We’d keep him around, just.
EOTK verdict: KEEP
Jose Enrique: Fans’ verdict – KEEP 21% SELL 79%
Enrique is likely picking up a wage packet that could be far better spent elsewhere. He seems to be continually holidaying, or organising inter-club table-tennis tournaments, and while this may be good for squad morale, he hasn’t offered anything on the pitch for some time.
EOTK verdict: SELL
Jon Flanagan: Fans’ verdict – KEEP 95% SELL 5%
Keeping Flanagan is a no-brainer, providing he makes a full recovery from the incredibly annoying injury which has decimated his entire campaign. He’s scouse, a full England international, versatile, and should be awarded an extension on the contract which expires this summer.
EOTK verdict: KEEP
Kolo Toure: Fans’ verdict – KEEP 61% SELL 39%
We feel that Kolo’s likability factor has swayed the fans vote in his favour, but we’re going to be a little more callous in our judgement – based on football reasons alone. Toure’s slow, which is emphasised by his 34 years – and his remarkably poor show versus Arsenal shows that he’s not good enough for now, let alone next season.
EOTK verdict: SELL
Glen Johnson: Fans’ verdict – KEEP 8% SELL 92%
Again, we’re going against the majority of the supporters on this one – providing Johnson accepts a significantly lower contract t0 stay. He’s experienced and versatile, and could still be a valuable squad addition next season. At 30, he’s hardly over the hill for a defender, and it’s easy to forget that he was consistently impressive just last term during our title challenge. If he signs for low wages, we should keep.
EOTK verdict: KEEP
Lucas Leiva: Fans’ verdict – KEEP 85% SELL 15%
Another no-brainer… Lucas has been basically perfect this season, bar his showing against Arsenal – which can surely be forgiven as it was his first game on over a month. Injuries have restricted his playing time, but his experience, hard-work, discipline and comfort with a squad role make him a valuable asset going forward.
EOTK verdict: KEEP
Joe Allen: Fans’ verdict –KEEP 73% Sell 27%
At his best, Allen provides a calming, technically exceptional midfield option. At his worst, the Welshman disappears. We’ve seen a little of both this season, but with Steven Gerrard leaving, we need to keep as many central midfield options as we can.
EOTK verdict: KEEP
Luis Alberto: Fans’ verdict – KEEP 21% SELL 79%
The Spanish playmaker has been poor on loan at Malaga, and if the 22-year-old can’t get in their side (he’s made six La Liga starts all season…) he shouldn’t get in ours either.
EOTK verdict: SELL
Joao Carlos Teixeira: Fans’ verdict – KEEP 73% SELL 27%
Performed well on loan at Brighton. The only issue is at 22-years-of-age, there is a suggestion that the Portuguese may have missed the boat. As an attacking midfield option though, he has the traits Rodgers loves. He’s quick, has a low centre of gravity, can pass and dribble – and slide teammates through on goal. Let’s give him a proper chance in pre-season at least.
EOTK verdict: KEEP
Iago Aspas: Fans’ verdict –KEEP 6% SELL 94%
Aspas will go down in Liverpool legend as one of ‘those buys’… The Spaniard is not as horrendous a footballer as he hinted while on Merseyside, but surely there’s no chance that he’ll be given another shot at Liverpool success. Saying that – he’s arguably not been too much worse than the forwards we acquired in summer 2014.
EOTK verdict: SELL
Fabio Borini: Fans’ verdict –KEEP 12% SELL 88%
Selling Borini for £14m, as we almost did last summer, would have been excellent business. Sadly, we won’t get anywhere near that fee now, as the Italian has done very little for us this campaign. Simply, he lacks the ability to be a top notch attacking player – although he should be congratulated for giving it his very best shot while here.
EOTK verdict: SELL
Rickie Lambert: Fans’ verdict –KEEP 32% SELL 68%
Lambert’s journey from non-league football to his boyhood club is a brilliant one, but it should end this summer. His complete lack of pace and uninspiring movement mean he doesn’t fit into Brendan Rodgers’ footballing philosophy. Under a different manager, he could be more effective – but at 33-years-old, he isn’t a long-term option.
EOTK verdict: SELL
Mario Balotelli: Fans’ verdict – KEEP 45% SELL 55%
It appears that almost half of the fans in the vote are hanging on to the possibility that Balotelli will eventually fulfil his mind-boggling talent at Anfield in a romantic footballing recovery, but all the signs sadly suggest otherwise. The Italian is not a bad guy, and is often given a hard time by the press – but like Lambert, he doesn’t suit the way we attack – and his ill-discipline and selfish attitude are not conducive to a strong team ethic.
EOTK verdict: SELL
